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There has already been a lot happening in Japanese classes this year, in the year of the Dragon. Years 9 and 10 started with a Jelly bean kanji chopsticks race to test their chopsticks skills. Year 8 have learned about the Setsubun festival which is translated as ‘division of seasons’ (meaning the start of Spring, but is also known as the ‘bean throwing festival). The throwing of the soy beans symbolises casting away from any demons from last year and welcoming the good spirits to start the year a fresh. Families all over Japan celebrate this. Parents and children alike also wear a mask and sometime have the beans thrown at them. Year 8 students participated in a modified version of this in the Hillary Courtyard. Whilst throwing the beans they called out ‘oni wa soto’ ‘fuku wa uchi’ meaning bad spirits out, good spirits in.
Last week at our College Assembly, we were fortunate to hear from our Year 12 students about last year’s Japan trip, and see their photos. Along the lines of wishing good luck, whilst in Japan last year our students also hung an Ema board wishing the Japanese students good luck for the year of 2024.
Finally, we are really looking forward to our sister school Ibaraki Nishi High School, visiting in July of this year. Please keep an eye on the notices, newsletter and announcements in class for more information about this.
